long-term effects of methadone on osteoporosis in women

[R]

The above says it all. Details: I've been on methadone maintenance for 13 years and am almost 50; I wondered if there had been any research done on the effects of methadone on contracting osteoporosis. I'm not menopausal (/yet/) but am concerned what the future might have in store.

[iffer64]

First off, I think that Methadone Doctors and (the brief course they take) to become Meth drs. is a bloody riot!!!  I just got off Meth because I was in a situation where I had tappered from 120mls. down to 4mls , I had to go away to an Island for a medical emergency as my husband went on a vacation and ended up in hospital for 35 days. Methadone, being liquid handcuffs, I was only given enough carries for 14 days. As I watched over my husband, dying of Hep C and Liver disease, kidneys shut down , etc. I began to realize that I was running out?   I tried getting my husband his Meth dose in another country and he went 5 days (dose 115mls.) with none because the Dr. in Ontario, even thru his secretaries couldn't be reached!! B.S.! I called my Dr. in Ontario to see what he could do for me and his answer was, there is no set program"? I weaned myself from 4 to 1 ml. after playing scientist making up my weaning doses. I have been off Meth for 2 months now and even tho I am feeling down some days and I haven't had nothing but the *****!! Its ALL worth it!! I don't ever want to be confronted or judged be another Meth Doctor, (Pusher Man) ever again. I used that as my  motivation to get off the junk after 12 years. Methadone was never intended to be used for this length of time when the "Government" implicated Methadone. These Doctors in my opinion , keep you on it just to get a paycheck!! Hell I didn't even **** dirty and I got on it. I am grateful I had the mindset to stick to my guns. I did it? Iam not proud , I am not going to cause a scene, but people , if you don't ASK your dr. to get off the ****, they will NEVER ASK YOU!
Speaking from Experience
Jennifer

[confused548]

i use methadone daily, im not prescribed but i like the enery and euphoria it gives me, i noticed my bowel movements are not working like they should. i've been taking it for about 7 months, what kind of withdrawal symptoms will i have to face if i get off of methadone now?

[Dr_Pepper_Roberts]

I am 28 and have been on prescription opiates for pain mngmnt for 10 years and had regular check ups, about 8 months ago I switched to methadone from 8-12 80mg oxycodone time release, i began to metabolize them in 8 hrs, then 6 hrs it began hard to separate the pain from the almost constant withdrawl, I tried fentnyl patches whiched worked but was far to costly, so I went to 7, 40mg Methadone wafers and have since reduced to 12, 10mg Methadone tabs. This was fine besides the low energy and lack of modavation, but on my last check up I was diagnosed with degenerative ostioporosis being a male at 28 I couldn't help but see a direct conection after only 8 months of use, and reading various forums on the web, it seems to be a common thread, yet  aggresively denied. Now one could argue that the demographic in which would require the pain managing properties would be at greater risk for bone density related illness, and I also know if it turned into a pumkin the pharma industry would deny any resposability and after all the largest profit grossing medication doesn't cure, it "manages" as in never getting cured and never stop buying the medication, a good example is the SSRI market. I'm not here to preach, but to arm others with information and hopefully contribute through my experience.  Thanks, Dr. Pepper

[NAT73]

Hi! I have been on the methadone program for four long years...it has taken the inner-core of me away and not even bothered to pretend to replace it. My highest dose was 150mgs.  I am now on 27.5mgs...I reduced 5mls weekly, until I reduced to 50mgs and woke up in a park, where I had decided to sit down for a while due to feeling soo ****.  It took me a longer time to reduce from 50mgs to 27.5mgs than I care to recall.  I haven't reduced from 27.5 hence I haven't reduced for nearly two years.  I am 34years old and a single mum to a nine year old.  I had a heart-attack three months ago...yes truly (there has been no medical or other suggestion that this was methadone related) and I am now on a waiting list for detox, to become metadone free.  I have soo many fears, questions and my case seems so complicated due to the heart-attack (heart med's that are  now part of my daily medicine regime) and that I am on epilim 400mgs (for severe migraines) and unfortunately the epilim is resulting in metabolising the methadone too quickly and I am 'hanging out' most of the time.  The epilim side-effect was my main reason for finally deciding on detox.  I am just hoping that there might be someone out there who has had a similar experience (not that I would wish it upon anyone)...I have found it difficult, um...impossible to find anyone who reaally seems to understand or wants to make the effort to try to understand.  It was suggested to me this morning, by a lovely and accomplished nurse at my dosing clinic, whos opinion I do value that I should switch to subutex (after no methadone for 24hrs) and then stay on that for a while and then go to detox to get off subutex instead...her words were, "Coming off metadone is 150 times worse than coming off heroin."  On another note, the migraines were so debilitating that I was unable to take care of my daughter when they would hit in the form of the whole world spiinning then crashing in my head whilst I would uncontrollably vomit (sorry for the details) and this would endure for two to three days.  I don't know if this is a coincidence or not but my migraines began four years ago, which was post my methadone...the epilim works in the way that it puts a blanket over my migraines so that I am able to fuction hence take care of my daughter, get to the clinic...etc but it doesn't take mine away which would be ideal but I am so relieved at the improvement that I am too scared to cut the epilim out although I did reduce from 600 to 400 daily to help minimise the methadone 'hang out'...I have found it impossible to get any kind of advice that relates to the complex nature of all of these factors.  I am just over life, as pathetic as that seems..when I am blessed to have a beautiful and innocent daughter.  I feel that I have tried for so long and I am at a complete loss to know what to do anymore.  I am so agitated and depressed and I feel like life is not worth living 'hanging out' the wy that I am. Has anyone got any advice, thoughts, experiences that they could share with me?  It would be greatly appreciated.  ~Nat

[brit24]

i was on mehtadone for 3 and half years.... 35mgs. i came off it 6 months ago... the mental anguish one undergoes while being on this stuff is horrible. at first, it was great for me... i wasnt eating 20 lortab tens a day... and i was still in a euphoric state...an even better one... after 3 months of mmt, i started to realize i was now physically and mentally addicted to methadone....i tried to come off it then, but had such bad anxiety about what would happen to me that i lasted only for a day. my anxiety only got worse as i stayed on methadone....  along with other complications such as: urinary problems, vaginal bacterial infections, weight loss, and increased social anxiety due to extreme dulling of the mind... really i could no longer have consistent intellectual conversations... it was like my head was in a fog from this substance, i was aware of what it was doing to my mental and physical health, but i still couldnt stop taking it.. FEAR was my main concern. fear of not being able to function in society, get out of bead, sleep, or just live... the majority of fights with my boyfriend stemmed from the fact that i was using methadone.... he tried several times to get me off of it and send me to substance-free rehabilitation programs, but again i was too scared and addicted. after our split, i was determined to conquer my fear, so i gradually went down.... 1mg every two weeks for about a year. sounds crazy, but my mind would only allow me a milligram at a time.... i finally finshed, aug 07. it was definatly tough. i had never had withdrawals like that! but they eventually faded.... it is now six months later and i feel so much better... although, i still have sweats, some cravings, and lack of energy... but i know my body is still trying to function again normally.... my thoughts seem to be more organized and since conquering my fear of getting off methadone, i have conquered other fears easily... this was by far one of hardest things ive ever had to do, but now that its over, i couldnt be happier or healthier.... so my advice to someone considering mmt is to try a drug-free, possibly spiritual, rehabilitation program first... also let friends and family be there for you. i never used to think support from others could help me, but i was wrong... a good support system can be very beneficial. also, try to make yourself do constructive activities and things that you just all-around enjoy.  try all of those things first before becoming addicted to another substance.... i just had to get all of that off my chest, and hopefully help someone along the way.              -Brit

[jewl257]

I do not need to do research I grew up around it all I have seen numerous uncles aunts and moms friends suffer on it. I too became a heroin addict My mom would not let me get on the clinic I am grateful for that...She would give me some of her take homes when I was sick that would be it... I have over 6 yrs today with out a drug or drink in my system i have found out I do not need anything too deal or feel in this world. I feel bad for my mom. like me all the pills and dope in the world stops working and they have told her( the clinicians at her clinic) that they want her to up her dose AGAIN. she has what I have and everything stops working..Her bowls don't work right she's has gained so much weight her eyes are usually closing and she has no energy yet she's sweaty... this is not what I woulkld call living it is just gross.  Its better to deal with life than hide from it behind booze and drugs prescribed or not......H